96 Book of Engineering 



Truro " was clocked at 102.3 m il es an hour 

 between Exeter and Bristol. Higher speeds 

 are frequently quoted, but in no case will 

 they bear the criticism which may be 

 applied, i.e. "By how many independent 

 travellers was the alleged speed recorded? ' 

 In the case of the " City of Truro ", with 

 her mail train, there were several experi- 

 enced checkers on board, who each made 

 their notes of passing times, each with a 

 specially tested stop-watch, and they all 

 agreed within a fraction of a mile. 



There we have the triumph of speed, but 

 I would not call the 102.3 m il es an hour 

 the triumph of useful speed, because special 

 preparation was given and it was necessary 

 to have the course quite clear for the light 

 mail special. On the other hand it is almost 

 certain that when the railways settle down 

 fairly, after their grouping experiences and 

 the general standard of track improvement 

 is further advanced, the average speed of 

 our expresses will be raised from its present 

 figure to at least 60 miles an hour between 

 terminals. It will have to be so or the 



